Crossword Genius

To an old soldier, brown Bess (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

musket

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'bess' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for musket that I've seen before include "Early infantry firearm" , "[DRAGON]" , "Gun used by soldiers" , "A very old rifle" , "Old type of gun" .)

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